Did you think that headline sounded a little hysterical? A bit exaggerated, maybe? Think again. Passage of Senate Bill 6/House Bill 7189 would have a severe and lasting impact on Florida's public school system.

Do you think schools focus too much on the FCAT already? That the curriculum spends way too much time teaching kids how to pass a multiple choice test rather than teaching them how to think? Well, if this bill passes, 50% of teachers' salaries, their job security from year to year, even renewal of their teaching certificate will be based on how their students perform on standardized tests.

If you think our schools teach to the test now...just wait and see what happens when this new system is put in place, when the financial stability of teachers' families depends on how their classes perform on the FCAT (and in high schools, on yet-to-be-developed end-of-course tests in nearly every subject).

And on top of that, the new system would make little provision for teachers who work in the lowest-performing schools. Why would any good teachers accept that assignment, basing their salary and professional futures on the performance of the highest-risk students when so many factors in those kids lives affect their scores on a single test?

Despite Speaker Cretul's statement that he would be monitoring opposition to the legislation before deciding whether to move forward, HB 7189 has now been referred to a committee that meets next Monday. That's the last stop before reaching the floor for a vote of the full House, and the Senate bill has already been passed.

This legislation is being fast-tracked, and time is short. The House returns to work on Wednesday morning, and we'll deliver the letter. Together, we need to make sure we're more than 10,000 strong by then. Let's make sure Speaker Cretul returns to work to find an outpouring of opposition he can't ignore.

Here are the steps you can take right now:1. Sign the letter to the Speaker right now, then post it to your Facebook page and encourage others to sign too. (There's a button that makes it simple to post after you sign.)

2. Call and email the office of Speaker Larry Cretul at larry.cretul@myfloridahouse.gov and 850.488.1450 to let him know you oppose SB 6 and HB 7189.

3. Call the Chair of the Education Policy Council to express your opposition to HB 7189: Rep. Will Weatherford, (850) 488-5744. Urge him not to put the bill on the agenda for next week's meeting.

"We thought he was different, ideologically pure," said the ad's narrator. "Marco Rubio shot to national stardom . . . called the Republican Obama." The ad goes on to allege that not only was Rubio a registered lobbyist but that he also "used Republican political donations on his lavish lifestyle". OUCH.

Crist's decision to immediately go negative on Rubio speaks to the amazing role reversal in the race since its inception. At the start, Crist was regarded as the heavy favorite and Rubio had to withstand staff departures and calls for him to step aside after he struggled to compete with Crist's massive money machine.

But, Crist's support for the president's economic stimulus package badly damaged him in the eyes of Florida conservatives -- see Rubio's ads -- and the former state House speaker became the poster boy for conservatives trying to return the party to its roots.

Crist's ads make plain his strategy: use the millions he has raised to run an extended television campaign undermining the "Rubio as conservative icon" narrative that has led to the decline in the governor's political fortunes. It remains to be seen whether Crist can chip away or whether he let Rubio get too far ahead. But, we are guessing that there is a lot more where these three ads came from -- and the primary isn't until August 24!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

File Records Request for Documents On No-Bid Contract To His Former Washington D.C. Lobbying Firm

Today, Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux demanded that Attorney General Bill McCollum turn over all document related to the no-bid contract he doled out to his former Washington D.C. lobbying firm to file the frivolous lawsuit against President Obama's historic health insurance reforms.

"If it wasn't bad enough that Bill McCollum was fighting to take away health coverage for 32 million Americans, reopen the Medicare Part D 'doughnut hole' for 565,000 Florida seniors, and raise taxes on the 216,000 small businesses in the Sunshine State, the fact that McCollum doled out a no-bid contract to his friend in this effort is simply shameless political posturing by a career politician," Arceneaux said. "Today, the Florida Democratic Party is demanding that McCollum turn over all documents related to his no-bid contact to hold McCollum accountable for wasting our tax dollars on political stunts."

In light of recent revelations that you once again used a no-bid contract to hire one of your political friends - this time a colleague of yours during your time as a Washington lobbyist - to file a frivolous lawsuit against President Obama's historic health insurance reform law, pursuant to Florida Statute 119.011, I am requesting the following information and records from the Office of the Attorney General:

* Any and all communications and documents related to communications between your office and your former employer Baker & Hostetler since January, 2006, including but not limited to any and all communications or documents regarding the decision to retain your former lobbying firm Baker & Hostetler and/or your former Washington D.C. lobbying colleague David Rivkin, within the Office of the Attorney General and its respective staff, including but not limited to email, letters, files, and documents.* Any and all documents regarding how many state employee hours have been devoted to this effort within the Office of Attorney General or other agencies that have assisted in this lawsuit, including but not limited to email, letters, files, and documents.* Any and all documents regarding how much this lawsuit has cost Florida's taxpayers through efforts within the Office of Attorney General, other agencies who have assisted in this effort, and outside legal counsel, including but not limited to email, letters, files, and documents.* Any and all documents regarding deliberations within the Office of the Attorney General about using a no-bid contracting process in retaining your former lobbying firm Baker & Hostetler, including but not limited to email, letters, files, and documents.

This request includes copies of every document related to the matter from January 2009 to present in digital format. Please contact me at 850-222-3411 if you have any problems meeting this request by 12 PM on Wednesday, March 31st, 2010. If you refuse to provide this information, Chapter 119 requires you to advise me in writing and indicate the applicable exemption to the Public Records Act. If the exemption you are claiming only applies to a portion of the records, please delete or redact that information.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

It may be the politically popular thing for our current attorney general to do, but using state resources for political grandstanding is wrong. His effort to declare the recently-passed federal health care bill as unconstitutional reeks of the worst kind of calculated pandering. Below is a statement I released today in response to Bill McCollum's politically motivated lawsuit.

"As a former Assistant Attorney General, I remember the days when the Office stood for public safety and consumer protection.

"Unfortunately, this once great Office has been politicized by an Attorney General who is diverting its limited resources to fighting a national political battle that plays to his partisan base.

"There are many real problems facing Floridians, including gang violence, foreclosure fraud, Medicaid fraud and prescription drug abuse, that should occupy the Attorney General's time rather than a frivolous lawsuit.

"The Attorney General's Office needs to be depoliticized – and fast. This Office is too important and Florida's needs are too great to use it for political gimmicks."

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Sen Nan Rich: “I know this amendment is not going to pass today and that Florida’s discriminatory adoption ban will not fall today. It’s been four year since there’s been any debate on this issue in any official Senate proceeding in any Senate committee and it’s been 33 years since this issue has been debated on the floor of this chamber. It’s about time we did something about that.”

The 33-year law is currently under review by a state appeals court to determine if it is unconstitutional.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

More than 2,000 children in Florida are awaiting adoption, and half of them have no family members able to provide them care. House Bill 3 by Representative Mary Brandenburg (D-Lake Worth) would give more foster children an opportunity for a family and a home by repealing the ban on adoptions by same-sex couples and individuals.

Representative Brandenburg will hold a press conference on Wednesday to discuss House Bill 3.

The details of the event are as follows:

DATE: Wednesday, March 17, 2010

TIME: 11:15 a.m.

LOCATION: Fourth Floor, The Capitol, Outside the chambers of the Florida House of Representatives Tallahassee, Fla.

The Florida Competitive Workforce Act(HB 391 by Skidmore and SB 798 by Gelber) This bill would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state law that already protects people in employment and housing based on race, religion, sex, age and disability.

Repeal of Florida's Adoption Ban(HB 3 by Brandenburg and SB 102 by Rich) Equality Florida continues to work with legislators to repeal the ban. With approximately 3,000 children waiting for adoption in Florida's foster care system, the state desperately needs to open up the pool to include qualified gay and lesbian parents.

Domestic Partnerships(HB 477 by Steinberg SB 232 by Sobel) This bill would create a statewide domestic partnership policy in Florida. Dozens of cities and companies in Florida already offer some form of domestic partnership benefits, but right now there are no statewide protections for our families.

Friday, March 12, 2010

The following message was sent out by Professor Robert Watson of Lynn University. Please take note. and Forward

(From Robert Watson:)

Could you forward this email to your listserves? It is important.

Every day I get emails and calls from folks alleging that Obama said or did something horrific. As I check into the source of the allegations, I find them to be made-up and circulated by fringe organizations. Sometimes individuals who receive these emails innocently – but mistakenly – believe them to be true.

The new social media vehicles are being used to stir up fear and paranoia, and we need to be aware that many folks are making up "news stories" and interviews, and then circulating them online as if they were true. Everyone must be a bit more discerning… and do their homework regarding the legitimacy of these emails and tweets. I am now starting to see the same crazy stories making allegations not only about Obama, but about other Democratic leaders and the Democratic Party. I even received one about me! It attempted to discredit me by claiming I wrote some inaccurate nonsense about the War of 1812… and was so tricky that it took the first few lines of something I did write about the War of 1812, then added all sorts of inaccurate things I never wrote.

To that end, I am attaching another email that is going around. You may have seen it. Many people are asking about the legitimacy of it. The email claims Obama appeared on MEET THE PRESS and said all sorts of alarming things about not loving his country, not honoring the Pledge of Allegiance, and so on. The email, in an attempt to look real, even offers a supposed transcript of Obama's comments and the date of the appearance on the show.

Of course, the problem is that it is 100% untrue. It alleges that Obama appeared on MEET THE PRESS on September 7, 2008. He did appear on the show in 2008; for instance, on May 4 and on July 27. But not on September 7. You can go to the show's website and read the actual/real transcripts of his comments. They are at www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24445160 and at www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25872804, respectively. I have read the full transcripts for every appearance by Obama, and he never even said anything remotely close to the topics alleged, much less the anti-American spewings falsely attributed to him.

The email in question was, it appears, originally posted as satire through a silly "Semi-News" site. But it is being cited and forwarded by conservatives as if it were true. The website "Answers.com" has additional information on this false story. I am forwarding, below, the email that is going around. (Thanks for forwarding this information about the fake interview… So many folks approach me or contact me with fake stories like this. However, although I answer many of the queries and debunk the falsehoods, there simply aren't enough hours in the day to respond to all of them.)

Regards,

Robert

Robert P. Watson, Ph.D., Coordinator of American Studies,Lynn University

The following is a narrative taken from a 2008 Sunday morning televised "Meet The Press'. The author (Dale Lindsborg) is employed by none other than the very liberal Washington Post!!

From Sunday's 07 Sept. 2008 11:48:04 EST, Televised "Meet the Press" THE THEN Senator Obama was asked about his stance on the American Flag.

General Bill Ginn' USAF (ret.) asked Obama to explain WHY he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.

The General stated to Obama that according to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171...During rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed, all present (except those in uniform) are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Or, at the very least, "Stand and Face It".

NOW GET THIS !! - - - - -

'Senator' Obama replied:

"As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides". "There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression.." "The anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all that sort of thing."

(ARE YOU READY FOR THIS???)

Obama continued: "The National Anthem should be 'swapped' for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing'. If that were our anthem, then, I might salute it. In my opinion, we should consider reinventing our National Anthem as well as 'redesign' our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love. It's my intention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of acceptance to our Middle East Brethren. If we, as a Nation of waring people, conduct ourselves like the nations of Islam, where peace prevails - - - perhaps a state or period of mutual accord could exist between our governments ."

When I become President, I will seek a pact of agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity, and a freedom from disquieting oppressive thoughts. We as a Nation, have placed upon the nations of Islam, an unfair injustice which is WHY my wife disrespects the Flag and she and I have attended several flag burning ceremonies in the past".

"Of course now, I have found myself about to become the President of the United States and I have put my hatred aside. I will use my power to bring CHANGE to this Nation, and offer the people a new path.. My wife and I look forward to becoming our Country's First black Family. Indeed, CHANGE is about to overwhelm the United States of America "

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

A bill to extend expiring unemployment benefits to nearly 50,000 Floridians is held up in the U.S. Senate due to Bunning's objections, his political agenda of "No."Kendrick Meek: "Florida's families are experiencing insult after injury because ideology is trumping public policy. This is what happens when politicians put party philosophy first, and people last."

Nearly 50,000 Floridians will lose their unemployment benefits in the coming weeks because one U.S. Senator is holding up legislation extending unemployment benefits to out of work Americans.

"Florida's families are experiencing insult after injury because ideology is trumping public policy. This is what happens when politicians put party philosophy first, and people last," said Kendrick Meek, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. "Hard working Floridians didn't cause this recession, but they are paying for it. This pain is evident with every Florida family I meet and in every small business I enter. Floridians deserve relief and instead they are becoming casualties of an ideological battle that has nothing to do with our everyday lives."

The House of Representatives voted unanimously last week to temporarily extend unemployment benefits for out of work Americans.

Asked Kendrick Meek campaign manager Abe Dyk: "With so many Floridians negatively affected because of the actions of one senator, do Florida's Republican Senate candidates Governor Charlie Crist and former Speaker Marco Rubio side with Senator Jim Bunning or do they stand with Floridians and their families who desperately rely on these benefits to survive? The Republican Party's dysfunction in Washington should not trickle into the homes of Florida's families."

The press release issued by the U.S. Labor Department announcing how states will be affected by this inaction appears below:

US Labor Department releases state-by-state figures on number of Americans who stand to lose unemployment benefits without congressional extension of programWASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today released state-by-state figures on the number of individuals who will lose their unemployment benefits in the coming days if Congress fails to extend unemployment insurance benefits.

If Emergency Unemployment Compensation and full federal funding for the Extended Benefit program are not extended, 400,000 Americans will lose unemployment benefits during the first weeks in March. By May, nearly 3 million people could be left without these benefits. Furthermore, if the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act subsidy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is not extended, thousands of families will lose access to affordable health care.

If the extension is not approved, an estimated 500,000 workers who lose their jobs will be ineligible for subsidies to cover the cost of health care over this month. Over the rest of 2010, an estimated 5 million workers will be ineligible for the Recovery Act COBRA subsidy that covers 65 percent of the cost of coverage. Without this assistance, many of these families will be forced to join the ranks of the uninsured.

"It is essential that Congress extend the unemployment insurance and COBRA subsidy programs that are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The consequences of partisan obstructionism could not be clearer. If the extension is not approved immediately, millions of Americans could lose the safety net programs they deserve and desperately need."

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to temporarily extend crucial benefits -- including unemployment insurance. In the Senate chamber, however, Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky is blocking the extension. Senate leadership has called for the Senate to unanimously move this package on multiple occasions, but Sen. Bunning has blocked the process each time.

Without an extension, the number of Americans who lose unemployment insurance benefits will increase to 1.5 million within a month. Within two months, nearly 3 million Americans will have lost their benefits. Even if Congress acts down the road to retroactively reinstate UI benefits, a gap in the program forces administrative burdens onto states, which may cause significant delays in getting checks to unemployed individuals.

Projected unemployment insurance exhaustions (by state) as result of no congressional extension of the program

A bill to extend expiring unemployment benefits to nearly 50,000 Floridians is held up in the U.S. Senate due to Bunning's objections, his political agenda of "No."Kendrick Meek: "Florida's families are experiencing insult after injury because ideology is trumping public policy. This is what happens when politicians put party philosophy first, and people last."

Nearly 50,000 Floridians will lose their unemployment benefits in the coming weeks because one U.S. Senator is holding up legislation extending unemployment benefits to out of work Americans.

"Florida's families are experiencing insult after injury because ideology is trumping public policy. This is what happens when politicians put party philosophy first, and people last," said Kendrick Meek, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. "Hard working Floridians didn't cause this recession, but they are paying for it. This pain is evident with every Florida family I meet and in every small business I enter. Floridians deserve relief and instead they are becoming casualties of an ideological battle that has nothing to do with our everyday lives."

The House of Representatives voted unanimously last week to temporarily extend unemployment benefits for out of work Americans.

Asked Kendrick Meek campaign manager Abe Dyk: "With so many Floridians negatively affected because of the actions of one senator, do Florida's Republican Senate candidates Governor Charlie Crist and former Speaker Marco Rubio side with Senator Jim Bunning or do they stand with Floridians and their families who desperately rely on these benefits to survive? The Republican Party's dysfunction in Washington should not trickle into the homes of Florida's families."

The press release issued by the U.S. Labor Department announcing how states will be affected by this inaction appears below:

US Labor Department releases state-by-state figures on number of Americans who stand to lose unemployment benefits without congressional extension of programWASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today released state-by-state figures on the number of individuals who will lose their unemployment benefits in the coming days if Congress fails to extend unemployment insurance benefits.

If Emergency Unemployment Compensation and full federal funding for the Extended Benefit program are not extended, 400,000 Americans will lose unemployment benefits during the first weeks in March. By May, nearly 3 million people could be left without these benefits. Furthermore, if the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act subsidy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is not extended, thousands of families will lose access to affordable health care.

If the extension is not approved, an estimated 500,000 workers who lose their jobs will be ineligible for subsidies to cover the cost of health care over this month. Over the rest of 2010, an estimated 5 million workers will be ineligible for the Recovery Act COBRA subsidy that covers 65 percent of the cost of coverage. Without this assistance, many of these families will be forced to join the ranks of the uninsured.

"It is essential that Congress extend the unemployment insurance and COBRA subsidy programs that are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The consequences of partisan obstructionism could not be clearer. If the extension is not approved immediately, millions of Americans could lose the safety net programs they deserve and desperately need."

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to temporarily extend crucial benefits -- including unemployment insurance. In the Senate chamber, however, Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky is blocking the extension. Senate leadership has called for the Senate to unanimously move this package on multiple occasions, but Sen. Bunning has blocked the process each time.

Without an extension, the number of Americans who lose unemployment insurance benefits will increase to 1.5 million within a month. Within two months, nearly 3 million Americans will have lost their benefits. Even if Congress acts down the road to retroactively reinstate UI benefits, a gap in the program forces administrative burdens onto states, which may cause significant delays in getting checks to unemployed individuals.

Projected unemployment insurance exhaustions (by state) as result of no congressional extension of the program